Senior year is a crucial time in high school, and college applications are a rollercoaster with so many twists and turns, but I want to make the journey smoother and help out a little with some advice! So here’s what I wish I had been told this past application cycle.
- Think about and plan a college list carefully! Location, cost, requirements, and the fact that there’s a possibility of attending and/or living there for the next 4 years are crucial factors that need to be deeply looked into and thought about when deciding which colleges will receive applications.
- Don’t only focus on perfecting scores and grades. Scores and grades are still important, but taking the time to also look closely at the aspects that individualize the applications (essays, short responses, extracurriculars) will also grab the attention of admissions counselors and possibly increase the likelihood of acceptance.
- Summer goes by faster than expected. Taking advantage of the months off by actually being productive and working ahead on your applications or taking campus tours is what your future self will thank you for. You will NOT enjoy panicking about your deadline or wishing you had taken a tour before it was too late.
- DON’T be afraid to ASK!!!!!!! Ask for recommendation letters at the end of junior year or email during the summer. Ask people for help filling anything out, ask questions people usually wouldn’t think about asking, and ask alumni or current students about their stats or how they enjoyed/ are enjoying the college. The more information known now, the better off you will be later.
- Be prepared for anything. Applications are overall very unpredictable, think ahead when it comes to any possibility!! as someone who’s been very surprised facing highs and lows this past application season. be open to and prepared for whatever may happen throughout these next few months.
- A door opens when a window closes. Applying is the bravest thing anyone can do, no matter the outcome. Taking every opportunity to do the best with all the chances given in order to get a great outcome is all that can be done. I wish for the best for everyone applying, but if a college sadly says no, a second chance or a better opportunity is definitely somewhere out there in this huge world. Life is long, and it will come eventually.
- And last of all, never forget it will all be worth it, and this is a significant step for the future. Life will lead exactly to wherever needed, and I hope the hard work done to get to this point, as well as past it, is appreciated. Good luck and enjoy the future, no matter what!
